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We’re going to a two o’clock wedding ceremony in Newport, RI, Labor Day Weekend, with cocktails beginning at five and a dinner reception starting at six o’clock at the Eisenhower House. Should I change into a dressier dress for the reception?

–K. C.

About dress code for a Newport informal summer wedding Labor Day Weekend.

You have two hours on your own between the conclusion of the ceremony and the start of the reception, which would give you plenty of time to return to your hotel room and change into a gorgeous knee-length cocktail dress.

On the other hand, if there is no dress code on the invitation that suggests Black Time, Formal Attire, or Cocktail Attire, you could wear a hat with a simple cocktail dress to the church ceremony. And then leave your hat in the hotel room (or car if you go sightseeing instead) adding dangling earrings, dressier shoes and an evening bag to your outfit before setting off to the reception.

When the invitation does not specify a dress code, you can assume the attire is Suits & Dresses.  When in doubt, to get a feel for an informal wedding, such as one at the Eisenhower House, google EisenhowerHouse.com and click on ‘Weddings.’

Here above left is a photo of guests assembled on the steps of the Eisenhower House in the afternoon; below is where the evening reception will take place under a tent with fantastic views of Narragansett Bay.

Your question is about whether to change into a dressier dress for the reception. If I were you, I would. To illustrate the kind of dress and accessories, for women over forty-five, I use the Halsbrook.com website.

Again, as you can see by the above left photo of assembled guests, some of the men have taken off their jackets and quite a few are wearing dress khaki trousers. The only women wearing long dresses appear to be the bride and her maid-of-honor, so only the immediate wedding party are formally attired, whereas the guests are dressed in a more relaxed fashion. You would be safe wearing a cocktail dress similar to the black and white polka dot dress above at Halsbrook.com.

~Didi